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COMMANDERY OF TflE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 



WAR PAPER 25i 

he ISjast 0ags of the gebel ]roTglacl 
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Susqueqaqqa. 



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Military ©rder of \\}e bo^al be^ion 



United States. 



dOMMAMDEI^y OF THE Dl^Tl(lfiT OF CDLUiy[Bli\. 



WAR PAPERS. 

25^ 

TKc ^asl ©ays of the I^ebel i]roa=(I.lad 3/Lerrimac 

and ©ccupaliori of IKorfoliC, as seen from 

the 1/. 5. 5. Su-squeKariaa. 

PREPARED BY COMPANION 

Acting Master 

ALFRED L. B. ZEREGA, 

Late U. S. N., 



READ AT THE STATED MEETING OF FEBRUARY 3, 1897. 









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timac and ©eeupatiott ot MoxUlK a^ um 
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The U.S. Steam Frigate Siisquchainia had been some days 
m Hilton Head Harbor when on April 27, 1862, the captain, 
James L. Lardner, received orders to proceed to Hampton 
Roads and report to Flag Officer L. M. Goldsborough for 
duty in York river in connection with the Army of the Pe- 
ninsula. 

We steamed out of Hilton Head the evening of the 28th 
and arrived at Lynn Haven Bay, just outside of Hampton 
Roads, on the 29th at about 9 P. M., and after exchanging 
signals with the flag-ship anchored. 

The next morning found us in company with the 
flag-ship Minnesota, the San Jacinto, Seminole, St. Law- 
rence, Monitor, and the iron clads Galena and Naugatuck; the 
latter attached to the revenue service, also quite a fleet of 
army transports — all expecting the dreaded Merriniac to come 
out at any moment and make an attack on the fleet. 

Captain Lardner reported to the flag officer who ordered 
us to remain where we were and participate in the fight 
when the Mcrrimac came out. 

Up to May 2d we lay at anchor waiting, like Micawber, for 
something to turn up. About 9 A. M. a tug from the 
flag-ship notified the squadron and transports that the 
Merriniac was coming. We immediately prepared ship for 



action, spread fires, hove short, went to quarters and waited 
for orders. Whilst so waiting another tug came alongside bring- 
ing two "one hundred pounder" Parrott rifles and ammu- 
nition ; got the guns on board and mounted in broadside as 
part of the second division. At the announcement by the 
flag-ship tug that the Merrimac was coming, the sailing 
vessels and most of the army transports got under way and 
stood out towards the Capes of Virginia. Sure enough, the 
bugbear did come down the Elizabeth river as far as Sewells 
Point; remained there until about 4 P. M. and then returned 
up the river. 

During the 3d there was more or less heavy cannonading 
in the direction of Yorktown, and the same early on Sunday 
morning, the 4th of May. At 9. A. M. the flag-ship made 
signal : "Yorktown is ours." During divine service Dr. Joseph 
Beale, the chief surgeon, offered a very impressive thanks- 
giving prayer for the success accorded our army. As 
usual the Merrimac steamed down as far as Sewells Point, 
remained the usual time and retired up the Elizabeth river. 

From the 4th to the 7th we were still like our old friend 
Micawber, the Merrimac coming down every dav as far as 
Sewells Point, remaining until evfeningand then going back. 

On the 7th President Lincoln arrived at Fortress Monroe. 
That afternoon the flag officer, with Captains Case and Poor, 
came on board to witness our practice with the roo-pounder 
rifles. That practice was to throw a lot of shells into the 
batteries on Sewells Point in which we were assisted bv the 
guns on the Rip Raps. 

On the morning of the 8th of May we received signal orders 
to prepare for action. In so short a time that it is hardly 
expressible we were all ready and awaiting further orders. 
Xone having come, a little after 1 1 A. M. Captain Lardner 



ordered that the ship's company take a snack, which we 
were very thankful to get. Just before noon we received 
the signal message we were waiting for, and moved up toward 
Sewells Point, followed by the San Jacinto, Seminole, Monitor 
Dacotali, and the revenue ironclad Xauij,atuck. As soon as in 
range we opened fire on Sewells Point, and about half past 
one anchored in front of the batteries and poured in shell 
as fast as able to load and fire. The return fire was very 
poor and did little or no damage, as nearly all the rebel 
shot and shell either fell short of or passed over us. 

During the firing Acting Master W. L. Churchill, in com- 
mand of the after pivot gun, came to the hurricane deck and 
reported that sabots and pieces of shell from the Maugatiick, 
which was anchored outside of us, were falling on our deck 
and likely to injure some of the men of his division. 

Captain Lardner, turning to Mr. Weaver, asked, "Who 
commands the Naugatuck?" Without thinking and on the 
spur of the moment I replied, * * * "What do you mean, 
sir?" "1 beg your pardon. Captain, but that is the only 
name any of us know him by." 

In the wardroom we had given him this nick-name owing 
to an incident which occurred when he was first lieutenant of the 
revenue cutter Harriet Lane, while she was aground on Hat- 
teras Bar the year before, and we were assisting in getting 
her afloat. 

Captain Lardner with a smile turned to Mr. Churchill, 
ordered him to take a boat and go on board the Najtgatuck, 
give Captain * * * his (Lardner's) compliments, and 
say to Captain * * * that if he did not cease f.ring 
over us the Susquehanna would give the Naugatiick a 
broadside and sink her. 

Mr. Churchill carried out the order whereupon she changed 



position and we were not again bothered by the fire from the 
Naii(;atnck. 

During the action two "incendiary" shells were fired 
from the after pivot gun, and one of them exploding inside of 
the fort set some wood work afire. The firing from the fort 
ceased, but onlv for a few minutes. Several times we thought 
the rebel batteries had been silenced, but they were not. A 
little after 2 P. M. the Merrimac was seen coming down 
the river, so we got under way and moved out where more 
sea room could be had. As we turned the batteries again 
opened on us; but were soon silenced. The Seminole, 
San Jacinto, and the other vessels followed us out into deep 
water. 

As soon as sea room was had we turned round, heading for 
the channel, and waited for the Merrimac who came at us 
intending to serve us as she served the Congress and Ctini- 
bcrland — ram and dispose of us at once. 

Steering out of her way we tried the same game, 
but were not any more successful. For some time we 
kept manoeuvring round each other trying for a chance 
to ram. Captain Lardner knew that the shot from our 
pivot 8-inch and rifle guns would be ineffective against 
the Merrimac's armored sides, and that our only hope to do 
her any injury would be by ramming. Several times the 
vessels passed almost alongside of each other; neither firing a 
shot and once the officers on both touched caps to each 
other. 

Before the Merrimac got out of the river, we had made 
preparations to receive her; to ram her if practicable and 
carry her by boarding if opportunity offered. We had pivoted 
the two bow 8-inch guns fof fire straight ahead; had the two 
100-pound rifles trained as near ahead as possible, and laid 



two lines of hose from the boilers with the nozzles pointing 
over the bow, so as to throw boiling water at the^instant of im- 
pact if we rammed her. The two after guns of the second divi- 
sion (8-inch, 56 hundredweight) were trained fore-and-aft and 
loaded with double charges of canister, the object being to 
use them in case our men should be driven back and 
the fore part of our ship occupied l)y the enemv. The 
gun crews of the second and third divisions, armed for 
boarding, were ranged along the bulwarks so as to l)e out of 
the way of any raking fire. 

After chasseing around with the Merrimac for some time she 
hauled ofif and went under cover of the batteries on Crany 
Island, where we could not follow owing to the shallow 
water, and about 5 P. M. she again returned up the Eliza- 
beth river and we to our anchorage outside the Rip Raps. I 
don't know how Lieut. A. W. Weaver felt when the Merri- 
mac started up the river, but I felt that I had gained 
a new lease of life. As Weaver and I were in command of 
the boarding party we, of course, would have had to be in 
the lead, and if the Merrimac had been successfullv rammed 
and carried by boarding, it is safe to say that at least one- 
half of the party would have met instant death. 

During the "Balancing to Partners" with the Merrimac, 
the fiag-ship kept constantly making signals: "Ram the 
enemy's ironclad;" "Board the enemy's ironclad;" "Sink the 
enemy's iron-clad," etc., etc., and I communicated these sig- 
nals to Captain Lardner until he told me not to bother him 
with any more signals from the flag-ship, and I obeyed. 
(The flag-ship was at this time outside the Rip Raps 
about 8 miles from us.) 

On the morning of the 9th we again got under way, antici- 
pating a renewal of the attack on Sewells Point, but. soon 



8 



received orders to come to anchor. During the afternoon a 
large number of troops were emljarked on transports to be 
landed below Sewells Point, the batteries on the Rip Raps 
meanwhile keeping up a constant fire on Sewells Point and 
the surrounding woods, but landing was not attempted. 

On the loth President Lincoln visited the flag-ship and after- 
ward proceeded to the transport fleet. Very soon the troops 
began to land in Lynn Haven Bay. From our ship we 
could see that the President was very active among the land- 
ing party, and it has always been my opinion that Mr. 
Lincoln himself superintended the building of the temporary 
pier used. After the landing was effected he passed close by 
us, and all gave him three cheers while the band played 
" Hail, Columbia." 

On the nth at 4 A. M. I took charge of the deck, relieving 
Acting Master Geo. B. Livingston, who reported that a big 
fire had raged all during his watch (from midnight to 4 A. M.) 
in the direction of Norfolk, and that a little after 3 A. M. he 
had noticed another quite large fire more to the right and 
apparently nearer than the first. 

After being on deck for some time, I determined to go aloft 
and see if I could make out anything about the fires and 
especially the last one. After watching them awhile with 
a powerful night glass, I concluded that the last and 
nearest fire was the M err i mac being destroyed, so hailed 
the deck, giving orders to "Call all hands," "Spread fires,'' 
and descended by the topmast bolt-stays. I had hardly 
reached the deck when Captain Lardner and Executive 
Officer Weaver asked what was the matter, and were 
informed that I had been aloft watching the fires and 
was certain that one of them was caused by the burning 
of the Mcrriniac. A few 'minutes afterwards a loud 



explosion was heard and the fire to the right seemed to 
die down a Httle. By this time it was dayHglit, and as soon 
as we had steam got underway and stood off towards Sewells 
Point. As we passed the flag-ship we were hailed to know 
where going. Captain Lardner answered: "The Mcrrimac 
has been blown up; I am going to see about it."" Steaming 
past the Rip Raps we were joined by the San Jacinto, 
Seminole, Dacotah, Monitor, Naits^atuck and also the army 
steamer Mount Version. 

On approaching Sewells Point we saw the rebel flag flying 
on the batteries. Receiving no response to a shell or two 
fired to say "Howdy," we rounded the Point to enter 
Elizabeth river "and sent a boat on shore. Soon saw our men 
climbing the bluff and in a minute or two down came the 
rebel flag and Old Glory once more waved over its own. On 
the return of the boat we learned that the battery had been 
evacuated. 

Continuing up the Elizabeth river, the prospect was not 
very encouraging. Right ahead, or rather a little on the 
starboard bow, on Crany Island, stood quite a large case- 
mated battery, the guns of which completely commanded 
the channel, and would have us under a raking fire for 
some time while we could bring but two or three guns to 
bear. Two rebel flags were flying on the main battery. 

A little further up the river we could see several more 
batteries with their flags flying, as if, of course, they meant 
to dispute our passage, but nothing could be seen of the 
Merrimac. 

By the time we were off Crany Island the Monitor and 
Naugatuck had drawn ahead and had not been fired on. The 
Mount Vernon soon sent a boat on shore and found all the 
batteries deserted. The rebel flags were hauled down and 
the Stars and Stripes hoisted. 



lO 



We steamed ahead paying no attention to the various bat- 
teries, leaving them to be attended to by the other vessels. 

.Shortly after passing Crany Island we saw a double row^of 
piles driven in the river across the channel, their tops being 
just awash, and as we were almost on them signaled the 
engineer at the bell "to stop her." Captain Lardner and 
Lieut. Weaver took a good look at the obstruction, whereupon 
the former gave the order "Ahead full speed" and we crashed 
through the obstructions without any damage but the loss of 
one or two of the wooden floats of our paddle-wheels, and as 
afterwards ascertained stripping off of a few sheets of copper. 
A little further on we passed a lot of half charred pieces of 
wood, the remains of the dreaded Merri)uac. 

Steaming on towards the city we soon met a tug-boat 
manned by a lot of soldiers, who informed us that our troops 
were in possession. 

About II A. M. we arrived off Norfolk and came to an 
anchor just clear of the wharf at the foot of a fine wide street 
(T think it is called Main street). This street and the ad- 
joining water front were filled with people, principally women 
and children, watching us. 

On communicating with the shore we learned that the city 
was in possession of the forces under command of Gen. Wool 
and under the immediate command of Gen. E. L. Viele. 

We had scarcely secured our batteries and gotten the ship in 
ship-shape when a steamer came up the river with President 
Lincoln, Gen. Wool. Flag Officer Goldsborough and Captain 
Case aboard, and the Flag Officer hoisted his flag, on the 
Susquehanna. The President and party went ashore to view 
the city that Lincoln had captured. I had the honor of 
accompanying Gen. Wool, the Flag Officer, Captains Lardner 
and Case as special aid on their visit to the Navy Yard, where 



II 



we found everytliing that was possible of destruction 
destroyed. 

That afternoon our band, as usual during the ward room 
dinner hour, played a variety of national and other airs, hav- 
ing a large audience on the wharves. Noticing that whenever 
it played "Hail, Columbia," "Star-Spangled Banner," etc., the 
women would show signs of displeasure and walk away, we 
began to amuse ourselves by having it play selections from the 
Operas, "Dixie," " My Maryland," etc., and when it was evi- 
dent that the shore audience were verv much interested the 
officer of the deck would make a sign to the bandmaster, who 
would at once break into "Hail, Columbia, "etc. The women 
soon "caught on" and ceased running away, so after a day or 
two we entertained them with three fine concerts dailv, 
ending, of course, with one of our national airs. 

When we first went on shore the ladies did not receive us 
very cordially, and when met in the streets would cross over 
to the other side, at the same time drawing their skirts on one 
side so as not to be contaminated by contact with a "Yank." 
Some would put on an extra veil. All this was fun for us, and 
we got into the habit of drawing our coat-tails on one side 
on meeting ladies who made any motion to switch their skirts, 
and if they attempted to put on an extra veil we would all 
stop, put on eye glasses and stare at them. However, they 
soon gave up this nonsense, and we were contemplating 
giving a big ballon the Siisqitchainia and expecting to have 
all the pretty Norfolk girls as guests when ordered away on 
other duties. 

After getting to Norfolk we were ver\- much astonished chat 
the rebs had allowed it, since they could very easily have 
prevented . 

We found the batteries on Sewells Point much stronger 



12 



than expected. They had 6i guns in barbette, besides a 
small iron casemated battery of 2 guns. The magazines 
were filled with ammunition. 

The batteries on Crany Island mounted 100 guns, a great 
many in iron protected casemates. 

Facing and commanding the obstructions was Fort Pindar 
mounting 20 guns in iron plated casemates. 

At Tanners Creek, farther up, was a small battery mounting 
4 guns. 

Fort Norfolk, built in 181 2, and used as a naval magazine, 
had been very much strengthened, and was mounted with a 
set of barbette and casemated guns. 

At Hospital Point was another casemated battery mount- 
ing 16 long 32-pounders. 

It was entirely owing to the landing of the troops in Lynn 
Haven Bay, by direction of President Lincoln, and the 
investment of the city by them that the rebs evacuated the 
place and allowed the navy a free way uj). 



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